Russian supermodel Vodianova is new UN goodwill ambassador

Russian supermodel and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova has become a United Nations goodwill ambassador, pledging to promote the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls and tackle stigmas surrounding their bodies.

She will be a campaigner for the UN Population Fund, which now calls itself the UN's sexual and reproductive health agency, known as UNFPA.

UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem, who announced her appointment on Wednesday, called Vodianova "above all a passionate, longtime advocate for the rights and the needs of women and girls and in particular people living with disabilities." Working with UNFPA for the last three years, Kanem said, Vodianova has focused on "breaking harmful taboos and tackling the stigmas that surround women's bodies and health, including menstrual health even during humanitarian crises, and all forms of gender-based violence." Vodianova, who will celebrate her 39th birthday on Sunday, said she was honoured by her new role and told a UN press conference by video link: "I look forward to continuing my work to tackle the myths and taboos that billions of women, girls and vulnerable young people have to live with and raise the standards of women's health and dignity."